Keppel Verolme BV, the Netherlands member of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. of Singapore, has secured an agreement with Solitaire Marine Contractors S.A., a subsidiary of Allseas Group S.A. of Switzerland, for the Euros 20 million (US$26 million) conversion of the pipelay vessel (PLV), Solitaire.

Tong Chong Heong, Managing Director/COO of Keppel Offshore & Marine, hailed the contract as "testament to Keppel Verolme's position as one of the leading yards for the conversion and upgrade of offshore vessels in the North Sea."

He noted that the yard is also strengthening its track record in shiprepair. This year, the yard has repaired over 70 vessels, more than twice the total of the previous year.

Solitaire is expected to arrive at the yard in January 2005 for the two-month conversion.

Major work includes regular repair and maintenance; painting; installation of additional bouyancy tanks and local reinforcements to the vessel's structure; replacement of stinger sections for newly delivered sections; and structural and mechanical adjustments to the vessel.

Harold Wm. Linssen, Managing Director of Keppel Verolme said:"The conversion of Solitaire will be a fast-track one. Coupled with our expertise and experience in handling large conversion projects, Keppel Verolme will work closely with the client project team to complete the project on schedule."

Earlier this year, Keppel Verolme also fabricated and installed adjustable stinger support guides on the Solitaire. The yard also undertook modification works on sister vessel, PLV Lorelay. Both jobs were executed to full satisfaction of the owners